Boards

‘Top notch skanking funky Britpop.’ Time Out
‘The sharpest, tightest Ska sound we have ever had on the show’ Tom Robinson BBC6
‘A band of clear potential, plenty of energy and enthusiasm...could they front the rise of new, young Ska bands into the mainstream?’ - egigs.co.uk

POPES OF CHILLITOWN are a six piece BritSka Indie band from London, forged many moons ago from the tentative beginnings of late-night jam sessions between friends. The band have burst onto the London gig scene over the past 3 years with a host of performances at many well-respected venues, including legendary London venues such as The Astoria, Hackney Empire and 100 Club, as well as all around the UK with bands such as Imperial Leisure, The King Blues and Dave Barker.

But a straight up British Ska band they are not. Blending genres and each of the members’ influences makes for a unique sound and a breath of fresh air from generic bands that make generic music for fear of punters not “getting it”. A typical POPES OF CHILLITOWN show boasts soaring vocals, orgasmic guitars, sexy sax solos, banging Ska beats and chunky basslines.

Their debut 4 track EP ‘BUY ONE GET ONE FREE’, (7/10 Rock Sound) was released in December 2008 through Evil Uncle Records and was both a celebration of the band’s sound, and a critique on the branded, monitored world we live in. Songs such as the title track and ‘End ‘Em All’ denounce the advertising world for persuading their customers that their life is not complete without cheaper car insurance or that extra blade on their razor. The EP as a whole remarked on how adverts constantly provide answers to questions that nobody asked in the first place, forcing many a Pope to turn their television off forever. Artwork was provided by Linda Joy of cult contemporary British arthouse La Boca (Muse, SMD).

The band are currently recording tracks for their debut album, expected mid-2010. For a taster of new tracks such as Terrible Host and I See Dub People, check out the band’s site: www.myspace.com/popesofchillitown